Manufacturing a conductor part

ABSTRACT

A method for manufacturing a conductor part for a connector unit is provided. The conductor part includes a conductive core, an insulating sleeve, and at least a first conductive layer arranged between the conductive core and the insulating sleeve. The method includes equipping at least one section of a radially inner surface of the insulating sleeve with the first conductive layer, and equipping at least one section of a radially outer surface of the insulating sleeve with at least a second conductive layer. The second conductive layer is a metal layer or a conductive plastic layer. The method also includes inserting the conducting core in the insulating sleeve before or after equipping a surface of the insulating sleeve with a conductive layer.

This application claims the benefit of EP 13186407.6, filed on Sep. 27,2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present embodiments relate to manufacturing a conductor part and tothe conductor part.

BACKGROUND

Demands of communication over wide distances (e.g., between continents)will increase. Hence, infrastructures (e.g., sea cables and connectorslinking sea cables and modules such as subsea modules, liketransformers, pumps etc.) that are located and operated error proofsubsea will be used. Partial discharge at higher AC voltages between aconductor and an insulator in typical connectors and penetrators is along term reliability problem. In a connector/penetrator, the insulationmay be formed by over moulding the conductor or assembling an insulatorsleeve or layer over the conductor. In these methods, it is either notpossible and/or not easy and requires careful design of the process anda conductive core to completely eliminate the air void between conductorand insulator. The air void is a source for partial dischargephenomenon. For example, there is a gap between the conductor andinsulator when a pre-formed sleeve is engaged over the conductor. Thereis also difficulty in over moulding a polymer insulation onto a metalsubstrate and achieving a consistently bonded interface. Typically, airvoids are formed at the interface due to shrinkage of the polymer duringprocessing and coefficient of thermal expansion differences between thematerials. Since air is a poor insulator when compared with typical highvoltage insulations, the electrical potential (e.g., voltage) willover-stress these air voids. As the air ionizes, the result is partialdischarges. The resulting damage will eventually lead to a dielectricfailure of the insulation.

It is, for example, known to directly mould a conductor pin insulationonto a conductive core. This is, for example, possible with Epoxy. Thesemoulded pins may then be plated to provide an outer conductive layer inclose contact with the insulation.

SUMMARY AND DESCRIPTION

The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appendedclaims and is not affected to any degree by the statements within thissummary.

The present embodiments may obviate one or more of the drawbacks orlimitations in the related art. For example, a method for manufacturinga conductor part for a connector unit that provides an electricallyunstressed interface between insulating parts and electrical componentsof the conductor part is provided. Consequently, the conductor part maybe reliable and less insusceptible to errors in comparison to state ofthe art systems.

As another example, a conductor part that is failure proof and reliableis provided.

In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a conductor part for aconnector unit (e.g., for use in a subsea application) where theconductor part includes a conductive core, an insulating sleeve, and atleast a first conductive layer arranged between the conductive core andthe insulating sleeve, is provided.

The method includes equipping at least one section of a radially innersurface of an insulating sleeve with a first conductive layer andequipping at least one section of a radially outer surface of theinsulating sleeve with at least a second conductive layer. The secondconductive layer is at least one layer and is a metal layer, aconductive plastic layer, or a combination thereof. The method alsoincludes inserting a conducting core in the insulating sleeve before orafter equipping a surface of the insulating sleeve with a conductivelayer. The equipping acts may be reversed.

An interface between the insulating sleeve of the conductor part andeither the high voltage or earth with close contact between theinsulating sleeve of the conductor part and either the high voltage orearth is provided. Thus, the interface is free of air entrapment orcontamination, is void free or air tight, which may have lower breakdownstrength than the insulation. Hence, a risk for partial discharge isminimized, providing a reliable conductor part. By using the method ofone or more of the present embodiments, the insulation of the conductorpart may be placed under greater electrical stress in comparison withstate of the art systems. The method also has advantages in terms ofpreventing the stress diverging into places where the stress may havedetrimental effects. Thus, electrical stress is no longer aconsideration during the design of current carrying components. Since aninterface between the current carrying components and the first/secondconductive layer on the inside of the insulating sleeve/shell is underno electrical stress, conductive parts (e.g., the conductive core) mayhave any shape suitable for a person skilled in the art. Hence, a systemwith less electrical issues, compared with state of the art systems, mayadvantageously be provided. By using a selected metal layer or aconductive plastic layer, a corrosion resistance may be provided, whichis beneficial in a wet environment.

Even if the terms “conductive layer,” “section,” “metal layer,” “plasticlayer,” “radial space,” “mediator layer,” and “connected part” (see alsobelow) are used in the singular or in a specific numeral form, theembodiment is not restricted to the singular or the specific numeralform. More than one or a plurality of the above mentioned structure(s)may be provided.

A connector provides a unit that physically connects at least two parts(e.g., two cables, subsea cables, or a cable with a subsea module suchas a transformer, a pump, etc. or a busbar inside of the module or twomodules, respectively). Thus, a subsea connector unit may be provided.The connector unit may be used in any harsh environment and may beembodied as an electrical connector and/or penetrator or, for example,as a wet mateable connector/penetrator. The connector unit may beemployed in a high voltage application.

Such a connector unit includes at least a conductor part that helps toestablish an electrical connection in a mated position of two connectedparts (e.g., two cables or a cable with a module). The conductor partmay be a conductor pin, receptacle pin or male part of a connector or ofa penetrator or a socket contact of a female part, plug or socket orconnector body of a connector for contacting a conductor pin of a malepart. The female socket may be a part of the connector unit with anopening, recess or bore to receive another part of the connector unit,like the conductor pin or parts thereof. In an embodiment of theconnector unit including a penetrator, the conductor pin is permanentlyconnected to a cable or a module via a housing. Thus, the conductor pinmay be a part of the unit with a pin, extension or the like to engage orbeing inserted in the opening of the female socket, the cable, or themodule. The conductor pin and a corresponding part (e.g., female socket,cable or module) may establish an electrical connection either in caseof mating of the male and female parts or a permanent connection of theconductor pin with the cable or module. The female and male parts or themodule each may be encased in a casing or an external of a cable.

The insulating sleeve may be a cylindrical tube that may have ahomogenous, a stepped or a tapered inner and/or outer contour. The innerand/or outer surfaces of the sleeve may be skin surfaces or partsthereof. The term “equipping” may be “providing and/or fitting”. For theequipping, any number of methods including, for example, plating,spraying, vapor deposition, and sputtering may be used. The wording“equipping at least one section of a surface of the insulating sleeve”may be that the surface is at least partially equipped with a conductivelayer. The section has, for example, a homogenous or uniform contour,like a homogenous diameter. The wording “before or after equipping theouter surface with the second conductive layer” may be that the sequenceof the last two acts may be reversed.

The second equipping is, for example, a plating of the metal layer ofthe second conductive layer onto the section of the outer surface of theinsulating sleeve. Thus, the intimate (e.g., close) interface betweenthe insulation and the conductive layer may be provided constructivelyeasy and reliably. In one embodiment, the second equipping is a chemicalplating process. According to an alternative embodiment, the secondequipping is a spraying of the second conductive layer onto the sectionof the outer surface of the insulating sleeve. Hence, a corrosionresistance layer may be applied homogeneously and quick. In oneembodiment, the second equipping is a plasma spray depositing process.

The first equipping step may be a plating (e.g., a chemical platingprocess) of the first conductive layer on the section of the innersurface of the sleeve. Consequently, the conductive layer may be appliedwith good results. In an alternative embodiment, the first equipping isa spraying (e.g., a plasma spray depositing process) of the firstconductive layer onto the section of the inner surface of the insulatingsleeve. As a result, a corrosion resistance layer may be appliedhomogeneously and quick. Moreover, the first conductive layer is atleast one layer and is a metal layer, a conductive plastic layer, or acombination thereof. Hence, materials with good conductive propertiesmay be deployed.

In one embodiment, the method further includes filling at least a radialspace between the conductive core and the first conductive layer at theinner surface of the insulating sleeve with at least a mediator layerand/or a mediator material. By selecting a suitable mediator, mediatorlayer or mediator material, characteristics of an interaction betweenthe conductive core and the first conductive layer may be selectivelychosen.

In one embodiment, the mediator layer has a thermally and/orelectrically conductive property. Thus, an intimate interface betweenthe conductive core and the first conductive layer or themetal/conductive plastic layer, respectively, may be omitted. In otherwords, the conductive core may not be in close contact with the firstconductive layer or the metal/conductive plastic layer, respectively. Asufficient contact between the conductive core and the first conductivelayer may be established if the mediator layer has a material that is agrease or an adhesive. This may, for example, be silicones, like ACCSilicones SG500 or Sylgard 170.

For example, the mediator layer may be a combination of a mediator(e.g., assembly) and a mediator material, where one of the mediator andthe mediator material provides a thermal interface, and the othermediator and the mediator material provides the electrical interface.The thermal interface is provided by a thermally conductive mediatormaterial (e.g., a grease or an adhesive). This thermally conductivemediator material is an alternative feature because the thermallyconductive mediator material is not required for the electricalperformance and provides thermal conduction and mechanical support tothe insulator. A spring loaded contact, like a spring loaded plunger(e.g., metal cap with a spring behind the metal cap), is provided tomediate the electrical connection between the core and the conductivelayer and represents a mediator (e.g., assembly). By using a spring forthe electrical contact, inhomogeneous thermal expansion and shrinking ofpieces out of different materials may be compensated easily. In oneembodiment, a mediator layer having both electrically and thermallyconductive properties may be provided. This may save mounting effortsand costs.

According to an alternative embodiment of the method, the firstequipping is a connecting of the first conductive layer to the sectionof the inner surface of the insulating sleeve by an interference fitand/or interference fit tubing. Hence, a tight and secure connection maybe provided. The interference fit may be established by any number ofmethods including, for example, application of force and/or of thermalexpansion or contraction. Force may be applied by pushing a tube out ofa conductive material or provided with a conductive layer at an innersurface into an inner diameter of the insulating sleeve, where the innerdiameter of the insulating sleeve is only slightly wider than an outerdiameter of the inserted tube (e.g., conductive). Thus, the interferencefit is a press fit in this case.

In one embodiment, the method includes at least the following pre-steps.The method includes heating the insulating sleeve so that at least theinner diameter of the insulating sleeve expands. The method alsoincludes inserting a tube out of a conductive material or at least witha layer out of a conductive material at an inner surface, into theexpanded diameter of the insulating sleeve. The method includesconnecting the insulating sleeve to the tube by cooling down the heatedinsulating sleeve, thus providing a fixed connection between the tubeand the insulating sleeve. The tube represents the first conductivelayer. As a result, an especially secure and intimate contact betweenthe insulating sleeve and the first conducting layer and/or a tight fitof the insulating sleeve onto the conductive layer (e.g., tube) may beestablished. The insulating sleeve may be heated up to a temperature ofabout 140° C. or to a temperature of about 120° C.

The pre-steps provide a heat-shrinking of the insulating sleeve on thetube out of conductive material. The tube out of conductive material(e.g., a conductive tube) is, during the insertion into the insulatingsleeve, for example, colder than the heated insulating sleeve or coldand unheated and may have approximately room temperature (e.g.,approximately 20° C.). An even tighter fit between the insulating sleeveand the first conductive layer/tube may be provided when the inner tubeis cooled in a pre-cooling before the insertion of the tube into theheated sleeve. The tube may be cooled down to a temperature of about−40° C. or higher. The tube has, before and after the heat shrinking andthe optional pre-cooling, basically the same diameter. In the scope of adiameter as “basically the same,” there is a divergence of the diameterbefore shrinking and the diameter after shrinking of about 10%. In oneembodiment, the diameter before shrinking and the diameter aftershrinking are the same. The term “fixed connection” may be an intimate(e.g., close), void free and/or air free connection or interface.Further, “represent” may be understood as “provide, is or function as”.

According to a further and alternative method, the method may omit thesecond equipping (e.g., equipping the at least one section of a radiallyouter surface of the insulating sleeve with at least a second conductivelayer, where the second conductive layer is at least one metal layer).This method sequence may further include inserting the conducting corein the insulating sleeve.

In a further embodiment, the method further includes providing at leasta second section of the radially inner surface of the insulating sleevewith at least one further conductive layer, where the further conductivelayer may be a metal layer. For example, sections with contours thatdiffer from a contour of the first section of the insulating sleeve maythus also be provided with a suitable interface to the insulatingsleeve. An acceptable and sufficient electrical interface with tapers orsquare shoulders that interface with the copper core pin at each end ofthe first section of the inner surface of the insulating sleeve may beprovided. The metal layer may be plated, or the conductive layer may beapplied by spray deposition onto the further section of the innersurface of the insulating sleeve. The further conductive layer may alsobe a conductive plastic layer.

According to a further aspect, a conductor part of a connector unit, forconnecting at least two connected parts, like a cable or module (e.g., asubsea cable or module), fabricated according to the method of one ormore of the present embodiments is presented. As stated above, theconductor part includes the conductive core, the insulating sleeve andat least the first conductive layer arranged between the conductive coreand the insulating sleeve. The first conductive layer is arranged at atleast one section of the inner surface of the insulating sleeve. Theconductor part includes at least a second conductive layer arranged atat least one section of the outer surface of the insulating sleeve. Thesecond conductive layer is at least one layer and is a metal layer, aconductive plastic layer, or a combination thereof.

An interface between the insulating sleeve of the conductor part andeither the high voltage or earth is provided, and the insulating sleeveof the conductor part and either the high voltage or earth are inintimate (e.g., close) contact with each other. Thus, the interface isfree of air entrapment or contamination, is void free, and/or is airtight. The interface may have a lower breakdown strength than theinsulation. Hence, a risk for partial discharge is minimized, providinga reliable conductor part. By using the method of one or more of thepresent embodiments, the insulation of the conductor part may be placedunder greater electrical stress in comparison with state of the artsystems. The method also has advantages in terms of preventing thestress diverging into places where the stress may have detrimentaleffects. Thus, electrical stress is no longer a consideration during thedesign of current carrying components. Since an interface between thecurrent carrying components and the first/second conductive layer on theinside of the insulating sleeve/shell is under no electrical stress,conductive parts (e.g., the conductive core) may have any number ofshapes. Hence, a system with less electrical issues, compared with stateof the art systems, may advantageously be provided. By using a selectedmetal layer or a conductive plastic layer, a corrosion resistance may beprovided. This is beneficial in a wet environment.

The wording that the conductive layer “is arranged at” at least onesection of an inner/outer surface may be understood as “is connected toand/or built with.”

In one embodiment, the first conductive layer is a metal layer and/or aconductive plastic layer. Thus, a material with good conductiveproperties may be used.

In an alternative embodiment, the first conductive layer has the samebase material as the insulating sleeve. Hence, a connection between thefirst conductive layer and the insulating sleeve will be easy and mayprovide a good electrical interface. In this context, a base materialmay be a material that is the main component of the part. The materialmay define a main property or function of a part, like an isolatingfunction, or the material may provide an auxiliary function, like amoulding, stabilizing or handling function. This function may bedifferent for the insulating sleeve and the conductive layer. The basematerial may be any number of materials including, for example, aplastic material (e.g., out of the polyaryletherketone (PAEK) family,Epoxy family or the polyamide family such as Nylon).

Alternatively, an insulating sleeve and a first conductive layer withdifferent base materials but with thermally compatible materials may beused. These materials may be two plastic materials (e.g., PEEK andNylon).

In one embodiment, the first conductive layer is a layer of a polymermaterial or a thermoset polymer material. The polymer material may beany number of materials including, for example, an engineering plastic,or a material out of the PAEK family, Epoxy family or polyamide family(e.g., polyether ether ketone (PEEK)). Thermoset polymer material may beany number of materials including, for example, an epoxy material or thelike. In one embodiment, the insulating sleeve is fabricated out ofinsulative PEEK, and the first conductive layer is fabricated out ofconductive PEEK. Conductive PEEK is, for example, loaded with carbonnanotubes or carbon fiber filler until the resistance of the PEEKreduced to a needed amount.

In one embodiment, the radially inner surface of the insulating sleeveincludes at least a second section, where the second section includes atleast one further conductive layer. The further conductive layer may bea metal layer. In other words, the second section may be metal plated.Hence, for example, sections with contours that differ from a contour ofthe first section of the insulating sleeve may also be provided with asuitable interface to the insulating sleeve. An acceptable andsufficient electrical interface (e.g., with a taper or a square shoulderat each end of the first section of the inner surface of the insulatingsleeve) may be provided.

An effective conductive layer and thus connection to the insulatingsleeve may be provided when the first and the second conductive layershave, for example, a thickness between 1 micrometer (μm) and 20millimeter (mm), between 5 μm and 15 mm, or between 10 μm and 10 mm. Thefollowing ranges may be beneficial for the conductive properties of thefirst and the second conductive layers. In case of a metal layer, thefirst and the second conductive layers have, for example, a thicknessbetween 1 μm and 40 μm, between 5 μm and 35 μm, or between 10 μm and 30μm. Further, in case of a conductive plastic layer, the first and thesecond conductive layers have, for example, a thickness between 1 mm and20 mm, between 1.5 mm and 10 mm, or between 2 mm and 5 mm.

According to a further aspect, the metal layer includes copper, a copperalloy, aluminum, a nickel-cobalt ferrous alloy (e.g., Kovar®),molybdenum, titanium and/or nickel (e.g., phosphorous nickel). Thus, amaterial with convincing and well-proven properties may be used. Themetal layer may be arranged on a base layer (e.g., high phosphorousnickel on top of a copper base layer). Thus, the metal layer may includemore than one layer. In one embodiment, the metal layer includestitanium or nickel (e.g., phosphorous nickel). The nickel is disposed ona base layer out of copper. By using, for example, titanium, a desiredcorrosion resistance may be provided.

In an embodiment, the conductive core (e.g., a solid core) has amaterial including metal such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, anickel-cobalt ferrous alloy (e.g. Kovar®), and/or molybdenum. Hence, theusage of a reliable material is provided.

By using the method of one or more of the present embodiments or thatmetal plating, interference fit tubing or a combination of both may beused, the same advantages as a triple extrusion or over-moulding may beachieved.

The above-described characteristics, features and advantages and themanner in which the characteristics, features and advantages areachieved are clear and clearly understood in connection with thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments explained in connectionwith the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a subsea connector unit with one embodiment of a conductorpin and a female socket before mating;

FIG. 2 shows the subsea connector unit from FIG. 1 in a mated position;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the conductor pin of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a section along line IV-IV through the illustration of theconductor pin of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a section through a first alternative embodiment of theconductor pin; and

FIG. 6 shows a section through a second alternative embodiment of theconductor pin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In different figures, similar or identical elements are provided withthe same reference signs.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a high voltage subsea connector unit 12for connecting two connected parts 44 (e.g., two subsea cables 44). Theconnector unit 12 includes a conductor part 10 or conductor pin/malepart and a female socket 46 or part (of the cables 44, only connectingregions are illustrated). The conductor part/pin 10 and the femalesocket 46 are each encased in a housing 48 that is axially alignedduring a mating or demating process of the conductor part/pin 10 andfemale socket 46. The female socket 46 is located at a plug front end 50of one subsea cable 44 and includes an axially extending bore 52 withseals 54 for preventing entering of dirt into internals of the femalesocket 46. The conductor part/pin 10 is located at a receptacle frontend 56 of the other subsea cable 44 and includes a receptacle pinassembly 58.

For a mating of the conductor part/pin 10 and female socket 46, the bore52 and the receptacle pin assembly 58 are arranged axially alignedtowards each other, so that by moving the receptacle pin assembly 58 indirection of the female socket 46 or the moving direction 60, thereceptacle pin assembly 58 may partially enter the bore 52 of the femalesocket 46. Due to a proper positioning of the receptacle pin assembly 58in the bore 52 of the female socket 46, an electrical connection isestablished between the conductor part/pin 10 and a socket contact 70.This mating position is schematically shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of one embodiment of the conductor part/pin 10in the form of a male conductor pin, and FIG. 4 shows a section alongline IV-IV in FIG. 3. The conductor part/pin 10 includes a conductivecore 14 out of, for example, copper and an insulating sleeve 16 out of,for example, insulative polyether ether ketone (PEEK). A different PAEKor glass filled PEEK may be used. The insulating sleeve 16 is arrangedin circumferential direction 62 around the conductive core 14. Arrangedbetween the conductive core 14 and the insulating sleeve 16, theconductor part 10 also includes a first conductive layer 18.

This first conductive layer 18 is arranged at a section 20 of an innersurface 22 of the insulating sleeve 16. The section 20 is a portion ofthe insulating sleeve 16 having a homogeneous inner diameter D. Theinner surface 22 is a skin surface of the sleeve 16 that extendsparallel to an axis 64 of the conductive core 14. The conductive layer18 is a metal layer 32 out of, for example, titanium or high phosphorousnickel on top of a copper base layer. A conductive plastic layer mayalso be provided as conductive layer 18 (not shown).

A radial space 34 between the conductive core 14 and the first conductorlayer 18 at the inner surface 22 is filled with a mediator layer 36. Themediator layer 36 includes, for example, a thermally conductive mediatormaterial (e.g., a grease or an adhesive such as Sylgard 170) to providethermal conduction and mechanical support to the insulating sleeve 16.An electrical interface between the conductive core 14 and the firstconductive layer 18 is provided by mediator assembly in the form of aspring loaded contact, like a spring loaded plunger (e.g., metal capwith a spring behind the metal cap; not shown in detail).

The conductor part/pin 10 includes a second conductive layer 28 that isarranged at a section 24 of an outer surface 26 of the insulating sleeve16. The section 24 is a portion of the insulating sleeve 16 having ahomogeneous outer diameter D′, where the inner surface 24 is a skinsurface of the sleeve 16 that extends parallel to the axis 64 of theconductive core 14 and to the inner surface 22. The conductive layer 28is also a metal layer 30 out of, for example, titanium or highphosphorous nickel on top of a copper base layer.

Both conductive layers 18, 28 or metal layers 30, 32, respectively,have, for example, a thickness T between 1 μm to 30 μm (e.g., about 25μm). A conductive plastic layer would have a thickness of about 2 mm to5 mm, for example (not shown).

A manufacturing sequence of the conductor part 10 starts with a piece ofmachined tube-shaped PEEK as the insulating sleeve 16.

The method includes equipping, by metal plating, a section 20 of theradially inner surface 22 of the insulating sleeve 16 with the firstconductive copper layer 18. The section 24 of the radially outer surface26 of the insulating sleeve 16 is equipped by metal plating with thesecond conductive copper layer 28. In other embodiments, a conductivelayer may be provided by spray coating for both conductive layers 18, 28or a conductive plastic layer by vapor deposition for the outerconductive layer 28 (not shown). The conducting core 14 is inserted inthe insulating sleeve 16. The radial space 34 between the conductivecore 14 and the first conductive layer 18 at the inner surface 22 isfilled with the mediator layer 36 with thermally and electricallyconductive properties to provide an interface between the core 14 andlayer 18. Since close contact between the conductive core 14 and thefirst conductive layer 18 is unnecessary, the core 14 may bemechanically “rough” or may not have a specially selected and/ormachined shape.

Alternatively, the sequence may start with the metal plating or spraycoating of the outer surface 26 of the insulating sleeve 16 followed bythe metal plating or spray coating of the inner surface 22 of theinsulting sleeve 16. The conductive core 14 may also be inserted afterthe plating or spray coating of the inner surface 22 and before theplating of the outer surface 26.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show two alternative exemplary embodiments of theconductor part/pin 10. Same components, features and functions aredenoted by the same reference numerals. However, to distinguish theexemplary embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6 over that of FIGS. 1 to 4, theletters ‘a’ and ‘b’ have been added to the reference numerals of thecomponents that are configured differently in the exemplary embodimentsof FIGS. 5 and 6. The description below is substantially limited tothese differences compared to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4,where reference is made to the description of the exemplary embodimentsin FIGS. 1 to 4 with respect to same components, features, andfunctions.

FIG. 5 shows a first alternative embodiment of the conductor part/pin10. The conductor part/pin 10 a of FIG. 5 differs from the conductorpart/pin 10 of FIGS. 1 to 4 in the embodiment of the first conductivelayer 18 a. The first conductive layer 18 a has the same base materialas the insulating sleeve 16 and thus is fabricated out of PEEK.Different from the insulative PEEK of the insulating sleeve 16, the PEEKof the first conductive layer 18 a is a conductive PEEK. Further, thefirst conductive layer 18 a has a thickness T of, for example, between 2mm and 5 mm. The insulating sleeve 16 and the first conductive layer 18a are connected by an interference fit or interference fit tubing.

A manufacturing sequence of the conductor part 10 a is provided.

The insulating sleeve 16 is heated, so that an inner diameter D of theinsulating sleeve 16 expands. Thereafter, a tube 38 out of conductivePEEK that represents the first conductive layer 18 a is inserted intothe expanded diameter D of the insulating sleeve 16 (not shown). Thetube 38 has approximately room temperature. Additionally, the tube 38may be cooled in a pre-cooling step to approximately −40° C. When thehot piece of insulative PEEK of sleeve 16 has cooled down, the expandeddiameter D will return to the original diameter and the insulative PEEKof sleeve 16 will be a tight fit onto the conductive PEEK of tube 38,with a good electrical interface. Hence, the cooling down of the heatedinsulating sleeve 16 results in a fixed connection between the tube 38and the insulating sleeve 16.

A section 24 of a radially outer surface 26 of the insulating sleeve 16is equipped by metal plating with a second conductive copper layer 28. Aconductive layer may also be provided by spray coating (e.g., plasmaspray coating) for the outer conductive layer 28 (not shown).Subsequently, a machined conductive core 14 is inserted in theinsulating sleeve 16. The sequence of the last two acts may be reversed.

The plating of the outer surface 26 of the insulating sleeve 16 may beomitted.

FIG. 6 shows a second alternative embodiment of the conductor part/pin10 a. The conductor part/pin 10 b of FIG. 6 differs from the conductorpart/pin 10 a of FIG. 5 in that a radially inner surface 22 of aninsulating sleeve 16 has further sections 40, 40′, where each includes afurther conductive layer 42 configured exemplarily as a metal layer 42.Sections 40, 40′ are tapers 66 adjacent to axially ends 68 of section20, where the further conductive (e.g., metal) layers 42 provideelectrical contact to the first conductive layer 18 a at section 20 ofinner surface 22.

Alternatively and/or additionally, other or further sections may beprovided with a conductive layer (e.g., a square or stepped shoulder ofthe conductive core (not shown)).

Thus, after heat shrinking of the insulating sleeve 16 on the firstconductive layer 18 a out of conductive PEEK and before the insertion ofa conductive core 14 in the insulating sleeve 16, the sections 40, 40′are metal plated.

The term “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and “a”or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Also, elements described inassociation with different embodiments may be combined.

Although the invention is illustrated and described in detail by theembodiments, the invention is not limited by the examples disclosed.Other variations may be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope of the invention.

It is to be understood that the elements and features recited in theappended claims may be combined in different ways to produce new claimsthat likewise fall within the scope of the present invention. Thus,whereas the dependent claims appended below depend from only a singleindependent or dependent claim, it is to be understood that thesedependent claims can, alternatively, be made to depend in thealternative from any preceding or following claim, whether independentor dependent, and that such new combinations are to be understood asforming a part of the present specification.

While the present invention has been described above by reference tovarious embodiments, it should be understood that many changes andmodifications can be made to the described embodiments. It is thereforeintended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrativerather than limiting, and that it be understood that all equivalentsand/or combinations of embodiments are intended to be included in thisdescription.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A conductor part of a connector unit forconnecting at least two connected parts, wherein the conductor partcomprises: a conductive core; an insulating sleeve; at least a firstconductive layer arranged between the conductive core and the insulatingsleeve, wherein the first conductive layer is arranged at at least onesection of an inner surface of the insulating sleeve; and at least asecond conductive layer arranged at at least one section of an outersurface of the insulating sleeve, wherein the second conductive layer isa metal plated metal layer, a sprayed metal layer, a vapor deposed metallayer, a sputtered metal layer, or any combination thereof.
 2. Theconductor part of claim 1, wherein the first conductive layer is a metallayer, a conductive plastic layer, or a combination thereof.
 3. Theconductor part of claim 1, wherein the metal layer is made of copper, acopper alloy, an aluminum, a nickel-cobalt ferrous alloy, molybdenum,titanium, or nickel.
 4. The conductor part of claim 1, wherein theconductive core is made of copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, anickel-cobalt ferrous alloy, or molybdenum.
 5. The conductor part ofclaim 1, wherein the first conductive layer has a same base material asthe insulating sleeve.
 6. The conductor part of claim 5, wherein thefirst conductive layer is a layer out of a polymer material or athermoset polymer material.
 7. The conductor part of claim 5, whereinthe inner surface of the insulating sleeve is a radially inner surfaceand comprises another section, wherein the another section comprises atleast one further conductive layer, wherein the at least one furtherconductive layer is a metal layer, and wherein the another section isaxially adjacent to and shaped differently than the at least one sectionof the inner surface of the insulating sleeve.
 8. The conductor part ofclaim 1, wherein the first conductive layer and the second conductivelayer have a thickness between 1 μm and 20 mm, when the first conductivelayer and the second conductive layer are metal layers, the firstconductive layer and the second conductive layer have a thicknessbetween 1 μm and 40 μm, when the first conductive layer and the secondconductive layer are conductive plastic layers, the first conductivelayer and the second conductive layer have a thickness between 1 mm and20 mm.
 9. The conductor part of claim 8, wherein the first conductivelayer and the second conductive layer have a thickness of between 5 μmand 15 mm.
 10. The conductor part of claim 9, wherein the firstconductive layer and the second conductive layer have a thickness ofbetween 10 μm and 10 mm.
 11. The conductor part of claim 8, wherein whenthe first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are metallayers, the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer havea thickness between 5 μm and 35 μm.
 12. The conductor part of claim 11,wherein when the first conductive layer and the second conductive layerare metal layers, the first conductive layer and the second conductivelayer have a thickness between 10 μm and 30 μm.
 13. The conductor partof claim 8, wherein when the first conductive layer and the secondconductive layer are conductive plastic layers, the first conductivelayer and the second conductive layer have a thickness between 1.5 mmand 10 mm.
 14. The conductor part of claim 13, wherein when the firstconductive layer and the second conductive layer are conductive plasticlayers, the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer havea thickness between 2 mm and 5 mm.
 15. The conductor part of claim 1,further comprising at least a mediator layer arranged between theconductive core and the first conductive layer at the inner surface ofthe insulating sleeve.
 16. The conductor part of claim 15, wherein themediator layer is a grease, an adhesive, or a combination thereof.
 17. Aconductor part of a connector unit for connecting at least two connectedparts, wherein the conductor part comprises: a conductive core; aninsulating sleeve; at least a first conductive layer arranged betweenthe conductive core and the insulating sleeve, wherein the firstconductive layer is arranged at at least one section of an inner surfaceof the insulating sleeve, wherein the first conductive layer has a samebase material as the insulating sleeve; and at least a second conductivelayer arranged at at least one section of an outer surface of theinsulating sleeve, wherein the second conductive layer is a metal platedmetal layer, a sprayed metal layer, a vapour deposed metal layer, asputtered metal layer, a conductive plastic layer, or any combinationthereof, wherein the inner surface of the insulating sleeve is aradially inner surface and comprises another section, wherein theanother section comprises at least one further conductive layer, whereinthe at least one further conductive layer is a metal layer, and whereinthe another section is axially adjacent to and shaped differently thanthe at least one section of the inner surface of the insulating sleeve.